Child Safety Chair Restraining System

ABSTRACT

A child safety chair restraining system for a table set that includes a strap that comprises two ends with part of an attachment device on at least one end and a strap receiver that comprises an adhesive back and at least one part of an attachment device on the front. The adhesive back of the strap receiver attaches to the underside of a table while the strap wraps around and restrains the chair and attaches to the attachment device on the strap receiver.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/785,489 filed Mar. 24, 2006. The entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to restraining a chair to a table. More specifically, this invention relates to child proofing a table set by restraining the chairs in order to prevent a child from climbing on the chair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Everything is new and exciting to a child. Naturally active and curious, children tend to use everyday objects in unsafe ways. From outlets to window screens, everyday objects become toys to small children. However, unapproved use of an object or device can be very dangerous to a child. Thus, child proofing is very important for a home where small children are present.

Given the importance of protecting children, several companies produce devices that serve to protect children. These devices work to eliminate or reduce the dangers created when active children use the object inappropriately. Even though there have been a lot of products created to childproof objects and devices, there remain areas where the risk of harm still exists.

A table set can serve one function for adults and another for children. Where an adult may use the table set as a place to eat or work, a child may see it as a jungle gym. Assessable chairs pose a serious risk of injury for children. All too often, children use chairs as a means for reaching higher areas. Children also climb on chairs and rock on them, which can result in the child falling over.

It is desirable to provide a way to childproof tables and chairs that overcomes these and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention provides at least one strap member and a strap receiver member for restraining a chair to a table. The strap comprises two ends with part of an attachment device on at least one end. The strap receiver comprises an adhesive back and at least one part of an attachment device on the front. The adhesive back of the strap receiver attaches to the underside of a table while the strap restrains the chair and attaches to the strap receiver.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for child proofing a table. The method comprises securing at least one strap receiver member to an underside of a table, positioning a chair adjacent the table, securing a first end of a strap to the strap receiver member, placing the strap around a portion of a chair, and securing a second end of the strap to the strap receiving member

The forgoing embodiment and other embodiments, objects and aspects as well as features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the present invention, rather than limiting the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the child safety chair restraining system made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B & 2C illustrate one embodiment of the child safety chair restraining system made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the child safety restraining system made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a method of child proofing a table set in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a child safety chair restraining system 100. Child safety chair restraining system 100 comprises a strap member 101, a strap receiver member 104 and at least one fastener element. As illustrated in FIG. 1, strap member 101 is an elongated strip of material. Strap member 101 may comprise a braided or woven material, such as, for example, braided or woven nylon or cotton. In another embodiment, the strap member comprises a plastic material. Strap member 101 may also comprise a leather material. Strap member includes a first end 102 and a second end 103. The length of strap member 101 is sufficient to wrap around a chair and attach to a receiver member secured to a table situated adjacent the chair.

Strap receiver member 104 comprises a strip of material that may be of various lengths. The material may be the same as, or similar to, those materials described above for strap member 101. In another embodiment, strap receiver member comprises a polymeric material. Strap receiver member 104 has a front surface 105 and a back surface (not shown). The back surface of strap receiver member 104 includes an adhesion portion for contacting and securing strap receiver member 104 to a portion of the table. In one embodiment, the adhesion portion is an adhesive material. Those with skill in the art will recognize that strap receiver member 104 may attach to the table in a myriad of fashions and is not limited to an adhesive material. In an example, strap receiver member 104 may attach to the table using staples or other fastener devices well known in the art.

Child safety chair restraining system 100 includes two fastener elements 106 and 107. Fastener elements 106 and 107 connect strap member 101 to strap receiver member 104. Fastener element 106 comprises a first mating member 106A and a second mating member 106B. Likewise, fastener element 107 has a first mating member 107A and a second mating member 107B. First mating member 106A is disposed adjacent first end 102 of strap member 101. The second mating member 106B is attached to strap receiver member 104. The first mating member 107A of fastener element 107 is disposed adjacent the second end 103 of strap member 101. The second mating member 107B of fastener 107 is attached to strap receiver member 104.

The first mating member 106A of fastener element 106 is complementary to the second mating member 106B of fastener element 106. In operation, when first mating member 106A joins to second mating member 106B, it secures the first end 102 of strap member 101 to the strap receiver member 104. Similarly, first mating member 107A of fastener element 107 is complimentary to second mating member 107B of fastener member 107 for securing the second end 103 of strap member 101 to the strap receiver member 104.

Those skilled in the art would recognize that the fastener member can be a variety of devices capable of attachment such as, but not limited to, loop and hook fasteners and snaps. Also, the placing of the first and second mating ends of the fastener elements is interchangeable. For example, the first mating member 106A may be disposed on the strap receiver member 104 and the second mating member 106B may be disposed adjacent the end portion 102.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate one embodiment of the chair restraining system 100, illustrated in FIG. 1, operably positioned about a table and chair in a chair restraining configuration, generally referred to as chair restraining system 200. FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of the chair restraining system 200, FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom view of the chair restraining system 200 and FIG. 2C illustrates a rear view of the chair restraining system 200. Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, like reference numbers refer to like elements illustrated in FIG. 1. Chair restraining system 200 comprises a table 210, a chair 220 and chair restraining device 100. Table 210 includes a top surface 211, a bottom surface 212, and four legs 214, 215, 216 217. Chair 220 includes a back rest portion 221, a seat portion 222 and four legs 223, 224, 225, 226. Table 210 and chair 220 may be any table and chair suitable for the desired application. In one embodiment, table 210 includes an apron portion perpendicular to the bottom surface of the table and having a front portion and a back portion. In this embodiment, the strap receiver member attaches to the back portion of the apron.

In operation, the strap receiver member 104 attaches to a portion of the bottom surface 212 of table 210. In one embodiment, the adhesive portion on the back of the strap receiver member 104 attaches to the bottom of the table 212. The adhesive portion on the back of the strap receiver member 104 attaches strap receiver member 104 to the bottom of the table 212.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, a chair 220 is positioned adjacent the table 205 in between two of the legs, 215 and 217. In this embodiment, to restrain a chair placed adjacent a table, strap member 101 is wrapped around the back rest portion 221 of chair 220 and the ends 102, 103 are secured to strap restraining member 104. In this embodiment, first mating member 106A disposed on first end 102 of strap member 101 attaches to the second mating member 106B disposed on the front 105 of strap receiver member 104. Subsequently, first mating member 107B disposed on the second end 103 of strap member 101 attaches to the second mating member 107B disposed on the front 105 of strap receiver member 104. Once fastener elements 106 and 107 are attached, strap member 101 will hold chair 220 in place, close to the table. Those with skill in the art will recognize that the steps for constraining a chair to a table may be performed in any order to achieve the desired outcome of restraining the chair to the table.

Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a chair restraining system 300, made in accordance with the present invention. Chair restraining system 300 includes a plurality of straps to restrain a chair to a table. FIG. 3 illustrates a chair restraining system 300 with two strap members 301A and 301B and two strap receiver members 304A and 304B. In this embodiment, each strap member 301A and 301B is configured in the same or similar manner as that of strap member 101, described above. In this embodiment, strap members 301A and 301B comprise a length of material similar to or the same as strap member 101. Strap members 301A and 301B each include fastener elements for securing the ends of the strap member to the strap receiver member disposed on the bottom surface of the table. The fastener elements of system 300 are the same as or similar to those described above for fasteners 106 and 107. System 300 includes strap receiver member, 304A and 304B, for receiving the ends of one of strap members, 301A or 301B. In one embodiment, strap receiver members 304A and 304B are configured as described above for strap receiver member 104.

The placement of chair restraining system 300 in a chair restraining configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to the placement of system 100 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In FIG. 3, the chair 220 resides near the table, in between two legs 215 and 217. As described above, each of the strap receiver members, 304A and 304B, are adhered to a portion of the bottom of the table with the fastener element mating members exposed for attachment of the strap members 301A and 301B. In this embodiment, each strap member, 301A and 301B, wraps around a portion of a chair leg, 224 or 226, adjacent the bottom surface of the table. Each end of strap members 301A and 301B then attaches to a corresponding strap receiver member 304A or 304B disposed on the bottom surface of the table. As will be understood by one with skill in the art, the sequence of events of wrapping the strap member around a portion of the chair and securing the ends of the strap to the strap receiver member do not necessarily have to occur in the order described. For example, a first end of the strap member may attach to the strap receiver member, then the strap member wraps around the chair leg portion and then the second end secures to the strap receiver member.

Those with skill in the art will also recognize that one or two strap receiver members may be used for each end of a strap member. In other embodiments, each strap receiver may have one or more first or complementary mating elements of a fastener element.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a strap member 400 of a child safety chair restraining system made in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, strap member 400 includes a child safety buckle. In this embodiment, strap member 400 has two strap member portions, a first strap member portion 401A and a second strap member portion 401B. The first strap member portion 401A of strap member 400 has a first end 402 and a second end 450. The first mating member 406A of a fastener element is on the first end 402 of first strap member portion 401A. The female portion 452 of the buckle is on the second end 450 of the first strap member portion 401A. Likewise, the second strap member portion 401B of strap member 400 has a first end 403 and a second end 451. The first mating member 407A of a fastener element is on the first end 403 of second strap member portion 401B. The male portion 453 of the buckle is on the second end 451 of the second strap member portion 401B.

The female portion 452 and the male portion 453 of the buckle connect together attaching the second end 450 of first strap member portion 401A to the second end 451 of second strap member portion 401B. The buckle allows for easy release of the chair without detaching the strap member 400 from the strap receiver members (not shown). Those familiar in the art will recognize that the child safety buckle can be of various forms such as those used in seatbelts, high chairs, strollers, or on any restraining device known in the art.

Another embodiment of the child safety chair restraining system has an adjustable strap member. The adjustable strap allows for various amounts of restraining the chair to the table and will accommodate various sizes and styles of chairs. The adjustable strap member (see 101 in FIG. 1) may be of various forms such as those used on purses or backpacks. The strap member (see 101 in FIG. 1) and strap receiver member (see 104 in FIG. 1) may also attach together by means of rigid teeth and hooks. This particular means for attaching also permits adjusting of the strap length.

In another embodiment of the child safety chair restraining system, the adhesive portion on the back surface of the strap receiver member attaches to one of the legs on a table. In this embodiment, the strap receiver portion is attached to the leg so that it is not readily visible. In a different embodiment, the adhesive portion on the back surface of the strap receiver attaches to the side of the table. In another embodiment, when the strap member is not wrapped around a chair, the first and second mating members of the fastener elements may attach to the respective complementary mating members on the strap receiver member. The strap can also wrap up prior to attaching it to the strap receiver.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the strap member 500 of a child safety chair restraining system made in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the strap member 501 is very similar to the strap member 101 described above except that the second mating member 507B of the second fastener element is located on the strap member 501 near the first mating member 506A on the first end 502 rather than on the strap receiver member 504. Whenever possible, like numbers in FIG. 5 correspond to like numbers in FIG. 1. The first mating member 506A of the first fastener element on the first end 502 of the strap member 501 attaches to the complementary mating member 506B on the strap receiver member 504. The strap member 501 then wraps around a portion of a chair. Then, the first mating member 507A of the second fastener element on the second end 503 of the strap member 501 attaches to the complementary mating member 507B near the first end 502 of the strap member 501. Once the two mating members of the fastener elements attach, the chair is held in place, close to the table. In this embodiment, fastener elements 506 and 507 comprise snaps.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a method of child proofing a table set. The method begins at step 601. At step 610, at least one strap receiver member is secured to an underside of a table. In one embodiment, a protective layer is removed from the back surface of the strap receiver member to expose the adhesive prior to securing the strap receiver member to the table. In one embodiment, the adhesive back of the strap receiver member attaches to the bottom of the table. In another embodiment, the adhesive back attaches to an apron of the table.

At step 620, a chair is positioned adjacent to a table. In one embodiment, the chair is positioned in between two of the legs on one side of a table. The back of the chair is positioned near the table.

The first mating member of the first fastener element on the first end of the strap member attaches to the complimentary mating member on the strap member receiver at step 630. This secures the strap member to the strap member receiver. In one embodiment, two strap members are used and each one is secured to a corresponding strap member receiver by way of a fastener element.

In step 640, the strap member wraps around a portion of a chair. In one embodiment, the strap member wraps around the entire back of the chair. In another embodiment, two strap members are used and each one wraps around a portion of the back of the chair.

Finally, in step 650, the first mating member of the second fastener element on the second end of the strap member attaches to the complimentary mating member on the strap receiver member. This secures the second end of the strap member to the strap receiver member. The chair is now held in place, adjacent to the table. The method ends at step 660. 

1. A child safety chair restraint system, comprising: at least one strap member; at least one strap receiver member including a strap attachment device disposed on a first surface and an adhesive portion disposed on a second surface; wherein the adhesive portion is attachable to an underside portion of a table and the attachment device secures the strap member, which is engaged with a chair, to the table.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one strap member comprises a slidable loop portion for engaging with the chair and an end portion for attachment to the strap attachment device.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one strap member includes a first strap and a second strap engaged with a childproof buckle.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one strap member includes a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end each including a ridged portion for engaging with the attachment device.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the strap attachment device comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one strap member comprises a braided or woven material.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the braided or woven material comprises nylon.
 8. The system of claim 6 wherein the braided or woven material comprises cotton.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one strap member comprises a leather material.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the strap attachment device comprises a snap fastener.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one strap member comprises a first strap member and a second strap member and the at least one strap receiver member comprises a first strap receiver member for receiving the first strap member and a second strap receiver member for receiving the second strap member.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the strap attachment device of each of the first strap receiver member and the second strap receiver member comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein the first strap member and the second strap member comprises a braided or woven material.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the braided or woven material comprises nylon.
 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the braided or woven material comprises cotton.
 16. The system of claim 11 wherein the first strap member and the second strap member comprises a leather material.
 17. A method for child proofing a table set, the method comprising: securing at least one strap receiver member to an underside of a table; positioning a chair adjacent the table; securing a first end of a strap to the strap receiver member; placing the strap around a portion of a chair; and securing a second end of the strap to the strap receiving member. 